photo credits : Pinterest.
John 21:3 (KJV) — “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”
It had not been long since Jesus left His disciples when Peter decided to return to fishing. This made me wonder: throughout their time with the Master, they never thought of fishing. The only time Peter did fish was when Christ instructed him to obtain their tax dues from the mouth of a fish (Matthew 17:27). While Jesus was with them, they never worried about their daily needs, because the Provider was present. He made their welfare His responsibility and never failed at it.
However, after Christ’s death and resurrection, when He was no longer with them physically, Peter thought it was time to fend for himself. But his attempt proved fruitless — he was frustrated because he tried to take over God’s job.
When we try to do God’s job, our actions portray Him as unfaithful
As a disciple, his welfare was no longer his burden; it had become the Lord’s responsibility. Instead of holding firmly to the duty Christ left them — preaching the gospel — Peter attempted to do what only God could do.
Like him, many today abandon their calling to chase after the “important issues of life,” only to end up laboring fruitlessly. When we try to do God’s job, our actions portray Him as unfaithful. We may claim to trust Him but live as if our efforts and hard-earned money can sustain us better than He can. Scripture reminds us otherwise: “The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish” (Proverbs 10:3).
God’s job is our overall well-being, while our job is total obedience to His will. He has commanded us not to be anxious about tomorrow, but to trust Him as we carry out the duties He has assigned us. In doing His will, we fulfill divine purpose; in trying to secure our lives on our own, we only waste our time and strength.
All the while, Peter and the others had been casting their nets on the wrong side of the boat. Likewise, nothing good can come from exerting our efforts in the wrong pursuits
God loves us so much that He often shows up in the midst of our fruitless toil, just as He did for Peter. With one directive, Christ filled their nets with more fish than they could carry (John 21:6). All the while, Peter and the others had been casting their nets on the wrong side of the boat. Likewise, nothing good can come from exerting our efforts in the wrong pursuits. Only God knows the “right side” of life for us. Yet, we keep struggling to do what belongs to Him, exhausting ourselves over matters He has already provided for. In the process, we exchange the weightier matters — like winning souls — for trivial pursuits.
The irony is that while we try to do God’s job, we simultaneously expect Him to do ours. We ask Him to complete assignments He has already entrusted to us, while we waste time attempting to handle what only He can manage.
This path leads only to frustration and confusion. If you feel burdened and restless, perhaps you have taken on responsibilities that belong to God. It is time to return to the proper order — doing his will by strengthening your spirit, soul, and body in fellowship with Him.
Quit striving to make your own way; like Peter, you will only keep catching nothing. Instead, focus on your walk with Him, be diligent in the work He has given you, and watch Him do His job perfectly in your life.
God bless you.